Come Inside

While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. // Matthew 12:46

Last spring, I led a three-day parish mission for a rural community. People there had names like Thor and Inga, and they were humble and hard-working, without the slightest hint of pretension. Their faith was sturdy like the beautiful old churches that have been built there—of stone and brick—things that last.

I got to spend three days housed in an old rectory that is reserved for guests, sleeping with the Blessed Sacrament just a hundred feet from my heart. During the day, I had the keys to the quiet country church and spent many hours resting there with the Lord, just the two of us.

One evening, I settled into the first pew to pray as the spring sun set, pouring its golden light through the stained-glass windows, alighting the interior in a peaceful, gentle glow. The air smelled of incense as the sanctuary lamp burned. There were angels bowing on either side of the tabernacle, and I was reminded of Whose silent, all-powerful presence I was in, and it was heavenly. I sat there thinking, Oh, to be able to come inside and be here with You!

Indeed, we are all given the “keys” to “come inside.” Even in today’s Gospel (see Matthew 12:46-50), we read that Mary, the mother of Jesus, and his brothers, are “outside” waiting to speak with Jesus, and at first glance Jesus’ response might seem odd.

He asks, “Who is my mother [ . . . ] my brothers?” (Matthew 12:48) But then He stretches out His holy hand toward the disciples and continues, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother” (Matthew 12:49-50).

The point is not to dismiss the Blessed Mother, but to invite you, sister, into intimate relationship with Him. It’s a way of saying, Come inside! Come, join my family, come speak to me in the quiet home of my heart about my Father’s loving will.

Can you find a few moments to sit in the quiet of your local church today? To listen to what He might be saying to you?